Policy #5.10.8-Absences and Excuses

STUDENT ABSENCES AND EXCUSES                                                    5.10.8


 

Regular and punctual school attendance is essential for success in school. The committee does recognize, however, that parents of children attending our schools have special rights as well as responsibilities, one of which is to ensure that their children attend school regularly, in accordance with state law.

 

Therefore, students may be excused temporarily from school attendance for the following reasons:

 

1.         Illness or quarantine.

 

2.         Bereavement or serious illness in family.

 

3.         Weather so inclement as to endanger the health of the child.

 

4.         For observance of major religious holidays.

 

A child may also be excused for other exceptional reasons with approval of the school administrator.

 

A student's understanding of the importance of day-to-day schoolwork is an important factor in the shaping of his/her character. Parents can help their children by refusing to allow them to miss school needlessly.

 

Accordingly, parents will provide a written explanation for the absence and tardiness of a child. This will be required in advance for types of absences where advance notice is possible.

 

Any child who has been absent from school for health reasons for five days or more or who has had any contagious condition (even for only a day) such as chicken pox, strep infections or impetigo must have a certification of good health written or telephoned to the school nurse by a physician upon return to school. If no doctor attended the child, the school nurse will issue this certification and will consult with the school physician when necessary.

 

In instances of chronic or irregular absence reportedly due to illness, the school administration may request a physician's statement certifying such absences to be justifiable.

 

LEGAL REFS: M.G.L. 76:1; 76:16; 76:20

First Reading:

Adoption Date: 9/1/98

 


 


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